Obama meets Dalai Lama behind closed doors to avoid irking China

President Barack Obama hosted the Dalai Lama at the White House on Wednesday behind closed doors – a now familiar ritual that takes place off-camera and out of the public eye to avoid irking China.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) greets Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at the White House on Wednesday

Obama carried out what has become a political rite in Washington, spiriting the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader into the White House through the back door and prompting the usual Chinese denunciations.

Since coming to office, Obama has hosted the Dalai Lama three previous times.

On each occasion, Obama has tried to limit the fallout by keeping the meeting private. Read More